Shan Zhu Yu: A Classic TCM Herb for Kidney and Liver Nourishment

Shan Zhu Yu, commonly known as cornus fruit or dogwood fruit, is a cherished herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), renowned for its ability to nourish the kidneys and liver, secure essence, and promote vitality.

Documented in ancient texts like the Shennong Bencao Jing (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), this time-honored herb has been a cornerstone of TCM for centuries. Its potent yet balanced properties reflect ancient wisdom, offering a natural solution for modern-day issues like fatigue, reproductive health, and urinary concerns.

Chinese Herb: Shanzhuyu Macrocarpium Fruit

Origins and Background of Shan Zhu Yu

Shan Zhu Yu, derived from the fruit of the Cornus officinalis plant, has been used in TCM since the Han Dynasty to address deficiencies in the kidneys and liver. Celebrated for its ability to stabilize and tonify, it was a key remedy in ancient times for supporting longevity and resilience against stress or depletion.

In an era when chronic weakness and environmental challenges were common, Shan Zhu Yu was a vital tonic for restoring balance. Its dual role in medicine and culinary traditions makes it a versatile herb for today’s health needs.

Properties and Benefits

Shan Zhu Yu is a single herb with a wide range of therapeutic effects in TCM:

• Shan Zhu Yu (Cornus Fruit): Sour, slightly warm, and astringent, Shan Zhu Yu nourishes kidney and liver yin, secures essence, and stabilizes bodily fluids. Its active compounds, like loganin and morroniside, support anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and kidney-protective effects. It strengthens without being overly heavy, making it suitable for various constitutions.

Key Effects

• Nourishing Kidneys and Liver: It tonifies kidney yin and yang and supports liver health, addressing fatigue, lower back pain, and dizziness.

• Securing Essence: It stabilizes kidney essence, reducing issues like nocturnal emissions, frequent urination, or infertility.

• Astringing Fluids: It prevents excessive sweating, urination, or fluid loss, promoting internal balance.

• Supporting Vitality: It enhances overall energy and resilience, particularly for reproductive and urinary health.

Common Symptoms

Shan Zhu Yu is ideal for:

• Lower back pain, weak knees, or fatigue.

• Frequent urination, nocturnal emissions, or incontinence.

• Dizziness, tinnitus, or blurred vision.

• Excessive sweating or night sweats.

• Pale or red tongue with a weak or thin pulse.

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Practical Applications

• Kidney Deficiency: Shan Zhu Yu supports those with fatigue, lower back pain, or urinary issues due to weak kidney function.

• Reproductive Health: It aids in addressing infertility, premature ejaculation, or menstrual irregularities linked to kidney or liver deficiency.

• Fluid Imbalance: It helps with excessive sweating, frequent urination, or night sweats caused by essence leakage.

• General Tonic: It boosts vitality, making it ideal for recovery from illness or aging-related decline.

Clinical Uses

Shan Zhu Yu is used for:

• Kidney deficiency syndromes with symptoms like lower back pain, tinnitus, or impotence.

• Urinary disorders such as incontinence or frequent urination.

• Reproductive issues like infertility, premature ejaculation, or irregular menstruation.

• Chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension with kidney yin deficiency.

• Excessive sweating or night sweats due to qi or yin depletion.

• Postpartum recovery or age-related weakness to restore essence.

Modern research supports its benefits: Shan Zhu Yu’s antioxidants reduce inflammation, its astringent properties stabilize bodily fluids, and its bioactive compounds support kidney and liver function, making it a versatile herb for vitality and balance.

Dietary Support

Incorporating Shan Zhu Yu into meals can enhance its kidney-, liver-, and essence-nourishing effects:

1. Shan Zhu Yu Porridge

   • Ingredients: 10g dried Shan Zhu Yu, 100g rice.

   • Method: Boil Shan Zhu Yu in water for 10 minutes, strain, cook rice in the liquid until soft, serve warm.

   • Benefits: Nourishes kidneys and supports vitality.

2. Shan Zhu Yu and Wolfberry Soup

   • Ingredients: 10g Shan Zhu Yu, 10g wolfberries, 50g rice.

   • Method: Boil Shan Zhu Yu, wolfberries, and rice in water until tender, season lightly.

   • Benefits: Tonifies kidney and liver yin, boosts energy.

3. Shan Zhu Yu Tea

   • Ingredients: 5g dried Shan Zhu Yu.

   • Method: Steep in boiling water for 5 minutes, drink warm.

   • Benefits: Secures essence and supports kidney health.

4. Shan Zhu Yu and Red Date Broth

   • Ingredients: 10g Shan Zhu Yu, 5 red dates (jujubes).

   • Method: Boil Shan Zhu Yu and red dates in water until soft, serve warm.

   • Benefits: Nourishes liver and stabilizes fluids.

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Massage Support

Massage can complement Shan Zhu Yu’s effects by stimulating kidney and liver function:

• Taixi Point: On the inner ankle, in the depression behind the bone. Massage for 5 minutes to nourish kidney yin.

• Shenshu Point: On the lower back, below the second lumbar vertebra. Massage for 5 minutes to strengthen kidney qi.

• Ganshu Point: On the back, below the ninth thoracic vertebra. Massage for 5 minutes to support liver health.

• Yongquan Point: On the sole of the foot, in the center. Massage for 5 minutes to ground energy and tonify kidneys.

Precautions

Shan Zhu Yu is gentle but requires caution:

• Avoid in Heat Conditions: If you have fever, red tongue, or rapid pulse, consult a practitioner, as its warming nature may worsen symptoms.

• Pregnant Women: Use under medical guidance, especially in large doses, to ensure safety.

• Damp-Heat or Phlegm: Those with greasy tongue coating, bloating, or urinary burning should consult a TCM expert to avoid aggravating dampness.

• Medical Supervision: Always consult a TCM practitioner for personalized dosing and safe use.

Conclusion

Shan Zhu Yu is a TCM treasure, a single herb that nourishes the kidneys and liver, secures essence, and promotes vitality. Perfect for fatigue, urinary issues, or reproductive health, it offers profound yet gentle support.

Enhance its benefits with Shan Zhu Yu porridge or wolfberry soup, and consult a TCM practitioner for personalized guidance. Let this ancient herb bring strength and balance to your modern life.

Chinese Name	山茱萸
Chinese Pinyin	Shanzhuyu
English Name	Common Macrocarpium Fruit
Latin Pharmaceutical Name	Corni Fructus
Category	Fruits and seeds
Origin	The dried mature fruit of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.(Cornaceae).
Production Regions	Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Henan, Zhejiang, Shaanxi.
Macroscopic Features	Irregular flake-like or sac-like pieces. Externally purplish-red to purplish-black, wrinkled, lustrous. Apex has round scar of persistent calyx, base has scar of fruit stem. Soft texture. faint odor, sour, astringent, slightly bitter taste.
Quality Requirements	Superior medicinal material has thick flesh, purplish-red color, strongly sour taste.
Properties	Sour, astringent, slightly warm.
Functions	Supplements liver and kidney, astringes essence, secures desertion. Apply to vertigo and tinnitus, cold pain of waist and knees, impotence and seminal emission, anischuria and urinary frequency, metrorrhagia and metrostaxia, exhaustion due to excessive perspiration, feverish dysphoria and diabetes.